- WhatsApp might soon allow cross-messaging with other encrypted messaging apps.
- The new feature is being developed due to the Digital Markers Act by European Union.
- There are currently no known third-party apps that will connect with WhatsApp for interoperability.
WhatsApp might soon offer its users cross-messaging capabilities with third-party apps. This change became relevant due to the new Digital Markets Act rolled out by the European Union, designating Meta (WhatsApp’s parent company) as a “gatekeeper” and mandating it to allow third parties to interoperate with its own services within a timeline of six months. In this case, cross-app messaging. Here’s how it will work.
WhatsApp’s interoperable chat
- As per a report by Wired, we now know how the interoperability of WhatsApp will work with other apps.
- As per the Digital Markers Act, Meta has been designated as a “gatekeeper,” essentially an entity that has a significant grasp over its area of operation.
- Interoperability in both WhatsApp and Messenger will focus on facilitating text messaging, sending images, voice messages, videos, and files between two individuals, as mandated by EU rules. Calls and group chats will have this functionality later.
- Dick Brouwer, an engineering director at WhatsApp, shares with Wired that one of the crucial requirements for the new function is for users to opt-in, and the feature won’t be turned on by default.
- Only users who opt in for the functionality can use the cross-messaging functionality, and the emphasis on such is to combat spam and scams.
- This would work the same way for others to text people on WhatsApp without having to create an account.
- The cross-messaging functionality could work in a few ways, such as apps that can use the Signal-encryption protocol or other encryption protocols compliant with WhatsApp’s security standards.
- With this, the third-party apps will need to connect to WhatsApp’s servers in order for you to receive messages from them.
- According to Brouwer, third-party developers can also add a proxy between their apps and WhatsApp’s server, which makes the process easier but also poses significant security risks.
What messaging services will be connecting with WhatsApp?
The report by Wired further states that, as of now, there have been no major messaging services that will connect with WhatsApp for interoperability. As per Wired, “The majority of companies didn’t respond to the request for comment.” Snapchat and Discord replied that they had “nothing to add.”
WhatsApp has until March 2024 to implement the feature, as per EU’s deadline. It is also important to note that, as per Brouwer, Interop chats and WhatsApp chats won’t evolve at the same pace due to the difficulties of evolving an open network.
